
^.^^ -^ffi" ^^/ •*'*^'- *^ *■ * 
























3^ 















EULOGY 







UPON 



WlLIilAlW WIRTj 



BY 



RICHARD HENRY LEE, 



i Professor of Languages in Washington Colkgt-] 



J 



GUAYSON AND JACK, PRINTERS, 



fV^SIIlNGTON, PA. 



1834, 






NV^ 



A 



£734-0 



Washington, (Pa.) June 26th, 1834. 

Tiie undersigned with great pleasure proceed to <lischarge the du- 
ties imposed upon them by a vote of" the Lyceum on Thursday 
evening last. In accordance with the resolution then unanimously 
adopted, they respectfully request, that you will furnish them with a 
copy of the eloquent discourse pronounced by you upon the life, pro- 
fessional reputation and character of the late, lamented Mr. Wirt, 
for publication. 

Callci] as you were, Sir, to the pei-fortnance of this interesting 
duty, on the EOch instant, at the special request of the Washington 
X>yceum, we beg leave to tender you our thanks, and the thanks of 
those whom v/e represent, for the prompt and courteous manner in 
which this duty v/:is performed; and for the chaste and excellent 
production then pronounced, vvliicii we consider alike the offspring 
of talent and benevolence-— teeming with allusions to the illustrious 
deceased, not less classical than just. 

"vvM. K. M 'DONALD, 
C. M. REED, 
'JflOMAS MORGAN, 
JACOB SLAGLE, 
II. S. STEWART, 

To RiciiAiiD Henry Lee, Esq. ConuJiilkc, ^-c. 

Washington, June 27th, 1834. 
Gentlemen: 

I would be insensible indeed, were I not gratified by an expres- 
sion of satisfaction on the pait of the Lyceum, with the endeavour I 
recently made, to perform a task, which in assigning to me, they 
did me no little honour. I would be ungrateful to you, gentlemen, 
were I not to fell more than ordinarily flattered and indebted, by tiic 
manner in which you have made known to me the wish of the Ly- 
ceum, to have a copy of the eulogy mentioned in your note of yes- 
terday. It is not without reluctance, I submit my feeble effort, to 
the perusal of so inleUigcnt a community, of wliich, gentlemen, you 
arc conspicuous members. 

Be pleased to accept the assurance of the respect and cordial es- 
teem of 

Your friend and ob'dt. scrv't., 

RICHARD HENRY LEE. 

To Mcsssr. Wm, K.M'Donald, C. M. Reed, Thomas Morgan, 
Jacoh Slagle, B, S. SiEWAur, Committee, 4'-c. 



Air Prcsiflrnf, 

A?id Gentlemen of the JVashington Lijeeiun. 

The Resolution of your Body, in which il has recorded its admi- 
miration of the character of one of the most eminent men, it has 
been the glorj and good fortune of our country to produce, evince* 
alike its intelligence and its patriotism. The selection of the agent, 
through whom it seeks to make known its tribute to the mcmorj of 
■\Virt, it far less felicitous than the theme it has assigned to liim. 
This ii, indeed, fertile in topics of inherent and exciting; interest and 
of high and enduring value. 

To paj a tribute of gratitatle to virtuon which have improved the 
ago in which we live; to declare our admiration of exalted intellect, 
which has adorned it; to study its productions, that we may grow 
wiser by its wisdom, and to contemplate its career, to be allured by 
its brilliancy to generous rivalry, cannot fail to cultivate the best 
emotions of the heart, and to enlarge the understanding of mankind. 

The sagacity of every people, in every age, has perceived the 
wisdom of honors anil ceremonies calculated to impress upon their 
minds, the virtues of iheir benefactors. Thus the eulogy that 
gratitude pays is not only delightful, but profitable, since it conse- 
crates as examples for honorable imitation, their characters and ac- 
tions. The deeds and characters of great and good men, form the 
most interesting subjects in the history of all nations. They consti- 
tute a safe and rich fund ol wisdom, not only for him, who, in the 
retirement of private life, seeks guides and maxiois for the perform- 
ance of social duties, but for those, who, indulging a legitimate am- 
bition, desiro to deserve and to receive the due rewards of patriotic 
devotion to the public good. "They are important both from thtir 
immediate advantage, and their remoter influence. They of(cn save 
and always illustrate the age and nation in which they appear. 
They raise the standard of morals; they arrest the progress of degen- 
eracy; they diffuse a lustre over the pa'th of life; monuments of the 
greatness of the human soul, they present to the world, the august 
image of virtue, in her sublitnest forms, from which light and glory 
issue to remote times and ages; while their commemoration by Orators 
and Poets, serves to awaken in distant bouoms, the sparks of kin- 
dred excellence." 

It is therefore, with singular propriety, that the Washington Ly- 
ceum has not only recorded on its minutes, its sense of the just fame of 
Wirt, but has determined to exhibit to its fellow citizens within the 
Fphcreof its action, hif character formed as it is of all the virtues which 

should distinguish a citi/.en in public and private life, and which 
alone can constitute a durable claim to their gratitude and imitation^ 
l<'ew characters can be found more adinitabic than that of Wirt, and 
not one in our country, wh-jsu career illustrates with a more gratify- 



(5) 

ing lig^N thf nature of our civil and political institutions; and at the 
same time, aBords equal incitement and assurance of success to vir- 
tuous and lofty aspirations. It exhibits the influence of virtue and 
genius over the minds of a free and intelligent people, and lurnishes 
another demonstration, that Liberty and free institutions are propi- 
tious to the developements of intellect; that signal virtues cannot 
fail to receive an honored recognition; that although the repr«»ach of 
the Roman Poet and Philosopher may, often with juiitice, be cast oa 
uiaokind, 

" qui stultus honores" 

*«Sscpe dat indignis, et famae servit ineptusj" 

yet that knowledge, virtue and patriotism will, at length, attract 
their reganl, and secure their homage. Besides this dignified dem- 
onstration fit for the contemplation of philosophers and states- 
men, the life of Wirt, exhibits a most encouraging instance of the 
success, which, in our age and country awaits the industry of youth 
and the active labors of manhood; and of the advantages and honor;) 
which invariably attend the eftbrts of genius, however obscure its 
origin or however circumscribed its means may have been, when it 
has enriched itself with the treasures of knowledge and the adorn- 
ments of literature. 

The Christian, too, tuay find in the life and death of Wirt, another 
example of the triumph of Religion, over the corruptions and guilt 
of man, *'tn behalf of all that sanctifies, exalts and saves him.*' 

The character and career of Wirt should be diligently studied 
by our youth, and be often contemplated by those of riper years. 
His fame is civic, unblemished, and beneficent. Its influence will 
be salutary and ennobling, 

Mr. Wirt was born at Bladensburg, in Maryland, on the 8th Nov. 
1772. Ills Father and his ancestors were natives of those Alpine 
Vallies, which, from so early a time, and for so many centuries had 
been the favorite abode of Liberty and pristine virtue; the lanti, 
whose history is adorned by the patriotic virtues and valor of Tell 
and Iteding, and the glories of the Held of Margartcn. 

"Where the Alpine summits rise, 
Height o'er heiglit tremendous hurled. 

Like the pillars of the skies, 
Like the ramparts of the WorlJj 

Born in freedom's eagle nest, 
l{(>ck'd by whirlwinds in their rage, 

Nurs'd at freedom's stormy breast, 
Lived his sires from age to age." 



(C.) 

Wirt inlieiitod much of the native cliarac ter of tlic Svvii?s. ITis love 
of (recdom, liis Ixildni'ss and personal independence, his pcrscvc- 
• ance and induhtry, his ci-iitleness of manner and vivocily of tpirif, 
in huyhond, in youth, and in mnnhooil, might be claimed for (he 
honor cfjually of his nnccstral and his native land. Even in child- 
hood, lie gave indications of future gieatness which a eagacious and 
aflectionate aunt (lor he had early lost his parents) perceived and 
duly valued. If has been said by one, u ho lived in the bri(;h(e^t era of 
ame, and had often hung with rupture on his eloquence, nvvho he 
haabcen passing the ppot of Wirt's nativity— "at that time, the 
free empire, in which he was to be an ornament and a conspicnouj 
actor, had not even an cxistL-orp; and liltU; did those f(iri>L'C who ca- 
lesrffd him, as an apt and imitative boy, (hat on hilU almost within 
»ii;ht (if his humble |>:itri<iuinial roi»f, proud domes were to ari^e, in 
wliich he was to diKchaij;e the lunttions of the highest legal ollice of 
the I\cpubiic, and bit io council, on its most nioir.entou* concetiiy!" 

From the age of 7, to (hat of his 18th year, youn^ NVirt enjoyed, 
{)Ut not witliout iiiterruptioij, the advantages of classical grammar 
hchools. His putriiiiotiy was too soiall to afford him (hose of a Col- 
lege, liut correct habilH, diligent study and n due sense of (he 
viiluc of time fully compensatetl for (he oppoifunity of a more rej-u- 
lar aixl protracted education. lie was coniprlied early to commence 
the b(u<ly of tfie law. lie protfculed the study of that science with 
characti-ristic diligence and with rapid ac(|uisition. In (he antumti 
rf 1702, he obtained a liceiise to practice, and removed in (he same 
year (o C'ulpe|)per Court House in Virginia and commenced his pio- 
teiision, being (hen only 20 years of age. 

He was but a !'hor( time at the bar, before his legal Requisitions 
and talents, obtained for him distinction and en\ploymen(. He soon 
ex(ended his practice into the county of Albemarle. In this coun- 
ty, he married and settled in the year 1795. A classical author, fit 
to bo the biographer of Wirt, thus describes his person, his manners 
iirid habits, at this period of his life. "His manners took the (one of 
Jiis heart; they were finnk, open arnl foidinl; and his conversation, 
to which his reading and early pui suits had given a classic tinge was 
very poli>hed, gay and witty. Altogctlier he was a most fascinating 
coaipanion, and to (hose of hi<»ovvn age irresiftibiy and universally 
winning. The intellectufil bias, however, was (bat whicii prevailed, md 
fiiJed his hours of retirement, wiMi befitting studies, lie read and wrote 
lonslaotly and liabitually. earnestly employing tlie periods, thus, 
"dedicate to closeness and tlie bettering of ids mind" in studying tiie 
Fathers of Liiglish Literature, liacon, 15oyle, Locke, Hooker and 
others." 

It was during I'is residence in Albemarle, that he witnessed (he 
impressive scene, and heard the soul-subduing eloquence of the 
''Blind Treai-hcr" which he has graphically and touchingly described. 



(7.) 

Hi9 pen has imraortalixcd the eloquence of VVadilel, which, thougf* 
jn'native richness and overpowering force, was not inferior to that of 
Massillon or Whitfield, might have been forgotten, had not a kin- 
dred genius glowed under its fervor, and reflected its radiance. His 
heart never could resist the impressions of that holy scene, for he 
acknowledo'ed that no fiction could thus have moved him, when the 
Venerable '^man of 6od," lifting "his sightless eyes to heaven and 
pourinw his whole soul into his tremulous voice, pronounced the 
sentence, which had been wrung, by the force of truth, from the lips 
of infidelitys "Socrates died like a Philu&opher, but Jesus Christ like 

aGodl" 

In the winter of 1709, Mr. Wirt lemaved to Richmond, the 
Capitol of Virginia, and was elected, iMunediately, Clerk of the 
House of Delegates, This was a post of honor, as well as of pro- 
fit, in those days. It bad been held by eminent persons, such a3 
Edmund Randolph, afterwards Secretary of State durinj; the ad- 
ministration of Washington, and by Wythe the venerable Chancellor 
of Virginia. In 1802, the Legislature of that State, conferred on him 
an unexpected proof of its confidence an«} esteem, by electing him 
a Chancellor of a Chancery district. Mr. Wirt was then only 29 
years of age — Considering the extensive and important jurisdiction 
of the Courts of Chancery in Virginia, recjuiriog uncommon weight 
of character, as well as extensive acquirments, this appointment 
at 30 early an ago was a rare and highly honorable evidence of the 
standing of Wirt. He did not disappoint the expectations of the 
L^gislatura and the People. Ilis uprightness, diligence and abil- 
ities were universally acknowledged and honored, and he seemed 
destined to rank among the first judicial characters of his age. But 
his profession allured him with the promise of greater fame and 
profit. He resigned the office of Chancellor and resumed the prac- 
tice of the Law in Norfolk. Here he found as competitors men of 
the first rank in that profession. He cpiickly rose to equal business, 
and continued to practice in that City with increasing reputation, 
until 180G, when he again removed to Richmond. 

Shortly after this return to Richmond a fortunate occasion for lii.4 
professional fame occurred in the celebrated trial of Aaron Burr, 
in which he was retained by Pre!?ident JeiTerson, to aid the Attornoy 
General of the United States in the prosecution. This trial excited 

e 



'quTued. The political talents and previous celebrity of t!ie ac- 
cused, the eminence and popularity of the accuser, the intellectual 
vi<vor and moral grandeur of the Judge, the ability of the Advo- 



calc's on both sidcls, and the awful import of the accusation, all^ con- 
spired to surround it, with every circumstance and degree of ex- 
citement. In this cause, urge.l and defended withanenorgy ot 
zeal, extent of legal learning and research, and powers of eloquence 
seldom displayed, Wirl "enhanced and extended into every part of 



Ihe o«untrj, a rcpulntion not often attained at the 8«^p of 55 " n,g 
argu.nent well sustains even now, the honor, uhich contomiwrarv 
applause assiKoed to it. !"'■»■ j 

In 1808 Mr. Wirt was elected, without any canvass, a delogate to 
the Legislature of V irginia from the borough of Richmond. In that 
btate. a canvass in person, is, in almost all cases, essential to nolit- 
cal success. The election of Mr. Wirt without if, is a proof of 
more than ordinary weight of character and popular influence 
Ar.out this time, he wrote, at the instance of a Maiiufacturinu Asso- 
ciation, an address to the People of that State, advocatin.^ the expc- 
•licncj of fostering Domestic Manufactures. This is here mention- 
ed, as It vvill appear, that the opinions h« thon tuBtoinod (on that 
• nlerestiiig subject, he did not change, wJien ho was afterwards 
called to assist in the administration of the Federal Government, 

At this period of his life, his friends justly appreciating hia pow. 
eiful tnlents and extensive knowledge, pressed him to abandon tho 
path of professional life, for the field of political distinction. His 
iiiind, however, was too elevated to be allured by the illusions of the 
popular honors, of a politician by prnftssion. lie preferred the 
"calmer rejiion" of an iiittllectual pursuit. From this time, until 
the year IHIf, he continued to practice law in Richmond with aug- 
menting reputation. In IHIH, he had been appointed by Mr. Mad- 
ison Attorney of the United States for the district of Virginia, and 
in the following year by Mr. Monroe Attorney General of the United 
Statep. Roth of thrsc appointments were bestowed on him by those 
great men, without any previous knowledge of their intention, on 
his part. At the period of this latter appointment, the Bar of the 
Supreme Court, the highest forensic theatre of our country, present- 
ed a splendid array of legal learning and talents. Even on this try- 
ing theatre, whose actors often strove with the zeal of Cicero and 
Hortentius for forensic fame, Wirt soon established a celebrity as a 
profounti jurist and an orator of the first order of his contempo- 
raries. He retained the eminent ofllce of Attorney General of the 
United States during the entire administrations of Monroe and Ad- 
ams. During his continuance in it, he signalized himself not only 
in his official causes, but has left behind him, a character une- 
qualled by any of his predecessors, as the legal adviser of all the 

behind him. three volumes of official opinions. They are given on a 
subjects of Constitutional and legal enactments and treaty stiDula- 
tions; they constitute rich mines of constitutional exposition for those 
uho, in the administration of the govcrment, shall desire tobecuid- 
ed by the Constitution and the Laws. As long as he retained his 
f-lh.e, the great and virtuous men. who had conferred it, called him 
to act as one of their Cabinet councellors. He was the first Attorney 
l^cneial, who hud acted in this high capacity. Hence he became 



(9) 

liistinguishcd as a statesman; and shall rpccivo. on this occasion, 
the meed of htMior and gratitude so justly dun to him from hia 
country. At the clohe of the administration of Mr. Adams. Mr. 
Wirt settled in Baltimore and through the rest of hia life, enjoyed 
the highest honors and emoluments ot his profession. His health at 
iait, became affected by the labours, his fame compelled hiin to un- 
dergo. It declined rapi<iiv, but for some months before his death 
his friends were beguiled : y ,.o appearance of returning vigor, la 
February last, while atteiidiiiu theiei m ef the Supreme Court, his use- 
ful and brilliant caret* was tiu.i.ierilyiarrestedj and in a few days, 
was terminated on the very fieid of hia glory. His death caused a 
deep sensdtioQ in tue Capital of his Lountry, find throughout its wide- 
ly extended regiouii. The Congress of the Union, then in gession, 
paid unusual honors to his character, and both its houses, th.e Presi- 
dent of the United iitates and Heads of Departments followed his re- 
mains to the tomb. The Supreme Court marked the sad event with 
every tribute it could pay. The most illustrious of his contempories 
of all parties, poured overhis grave, the admiration, the love and the 
viorrows of their congenial spirits. His body reposes in the National 
(3rave Yard at Washington, over which his associates of the Bar of 
the Supreme Court haveerected a classic and lasting mooument to 
his memory. 

Having tdilowed our great countryman through his career, to that 
"inevitable hour" which awaits «ur race, let us pause to consider 
the legacy he has left to the living and to his country in the virtues 
of his life and the glory of hia name. This is, indeed, the most ap- 
propriate office of this occasion. 

The fame of Wirt principally rests on his eminence as a jurist and 
an orator. On this eminence he stands in honorable association 
with the most admired and renowned of past times and of the pre- 
sent age; with Scaevola, Cicero and Trebonian of antiquity, with 
J^'Hopital and D'Aguesseau of France, with Dunning, Erskine and 
M'Intosh of England, with Curran and Malone of Ireland, and with 
those of our native land, whose names need not enumeration. 

When it is said of Wirt, that he adorned the profesfiion of a 
Lawyer and Advocate, and that it in its turn, bestowed on him, a 
bright &. imperishable name, a splendid claim is announced for him. 
On what does it rest ? The profession of an Ad vocate or in the usual 

Grecian 
that coui 

B "afp?f» 'ipl" "aaaeai'eg^ards'of immao right.. LooL ., the early 



tTcT:^i '{ :r ' Ube" .7-; .nrepr„de„ce Pa„ then. ... 
Pr,, . rountrv »hich first in midern times enjoyed the Rre.teit citiI 
,„at «"°",): *";\„,„ „3 derive o>,r existence as a Nat.on, and the 



(10.) 

domestic history of France, when she too haJ caught flnd yft prfi- 
Berred somewhat of tho spirit of the Civil end Feudal Law. 
Who does not delight to dwell on the illustrious members of her 
''Order of Advocats." \vhich was BO long the glorj of France nn<l 
which for centuries filled all Europe with its renown; an order which 
on repeated occasions, vindicated the National Independence of 
France and so long led her free and bold Parliaments, to resist, re- 
strict and even to humble her moat powerful and haughty monarchs. 
As early as the reign of Tiberius, tho city of Autun, was celebra- 
ted f<ir its Law School; over whose Btud«nt8 the Orator Eumenius 
presided, as far back a« the year 297. Similar flourishinj; schools ex- 
isted in Ihe Cities of 'I'uulousc, Hour.lour. Marseillpfl, Lyons, 

Treves and Bcsancon. In the disputes respecting the Sali(|ue Law, 
in those between I'upe, Boniface and Philip Le Hel, in the famous 
contests between the League and the Fronde, and in later contests 
between the Pai liamonts of Paris and the Kin;;«, the great Jidvo- 
fats were the leading spirits in behalf of the rights of their 
fellow men, and of the independence of their country. In our own 
history, it is well known, what class of men were the leaders in our 
Hevoluti()n. Of the 53 members who composed that most illustrious 
body, the Continental Congress of 1775,48 were I^awyers. Burko 
no loss di«;tinguiijhe(l fur deep insight into the causes of human c«n- 
<luct than for gorgeous eloquence, attributes the accurate knowledge 
of their rights and the bold spirit displayed in the proceedings and 
public papers of the Colonists, to the number of lawyers in the Col- 
onies and their popularity with the people. 

Is it asked on what grounds is placed the claim of this profession 
to such eminence? Its studies consist of the great and funda- 
mental principles of morality, justice an<l equity, not only of the 
"Lex Scripta," but of the "liCX Nala." They disclose the founda- 
tions of all legitimate government; they explain the rights of indi- 
viduals; they teach us, how to form safeguards for their preservation 
&to rear upon the demonstrations of justice & reason the bulwark* 
of freedom. Its successful practice requires industry, fearlessness 
and zeal. Distinction in its ranks can be gained only by profound 
learning in its peculiar knowledge, extensive and various acquire- 
ments in Science and Literature, ability and eloquence in its advo- 




I 



(11.) 



innovations or attacks of ignorant ana designing demagogues. That 
people, who shall wnaken its foundation, the tenure of its offices, 
upon the condition of uprightness in the discharge of its duties, be- 
trajs a fearful symptom of relapse into a state of anarchy, barbarism 
and crime. 

In all the requisitions of this profession, Wirt eminently excelled. 
If it lent dignity to hira, he has reflected glory on it. His acquire- 
ments as a jurist were extensive and profound. As an advocate, he 
was skilful, powerful and eloquent before a jury; before an appellate 
court he was terse, lucid and logical. He signalized himself, par- 
ticularly in his latter life, in many highly important and difficult ca- 
ees, amongst the first lawyers of oar age. One of the greatest of them 
has said of him, "he had strength for the strongest." In his prac- 
tice, he was liberal, in his argument candid and fair. In his manuerii 
to his associates, to the Court, to jurors and to witnesses, he was al- 
ways, polite and deferential. 

Iq the "divine art" of Oratory, Wirt was unrivalled. He pos- 
sessed all the natural qualities and all the acquired qualificationa of 
a consummate Orator. He would have adorned Athens in the age of 
Perricles, and Demosthenes; and would have graced the Roman Fo- 
rum in the days of Cicero and Thrasea. From the "Father of Spir- 
its," he received a genius of the highest orderj brilliant and vigorous, 
capacious of knowledge,; indued with a quick sensibility to the ♦'Sub- 
lime and Beautiful" in external nature and in the world of mmd, that 



-Internal Power, active and strong", 



And feelingly alive to each soft impulse." 

The gifts of Heaven he had, thro' life, sedulously improved. He 
never admitted that idle conceit that genius needs not the aid of la- 
bor, and the treasures of knowledge. He knew that the strength 
and bow of Philoctetes would be but of half their value, without the 
golden arrows of bis quiver. As an orator he may be justly descri- 
bed in the sketch, he himself has so happily drawn of a celebrated 
Statesman of the Revolution. »'IIehad studied the classics in the 
true spirit of criticism; His taste had that delicate touch, which sei- 
zed with intuitive certainty, every beauty of an author, and his genius 
that native affinity, which combined them without an e»Tort. Into 
every walk of literature and science he had carried thisraind of ex- 
quisite selection, and brought it back to the business of life, crown- 
ed with every light of learning, and decked with every wreath which 
all the muses and all the graces could entwine. Nor did these light 
decorations constitute the whole value of its freight. He possessed 
a rich store of historical and political knowledge. His speech was 
60 copious, so rich, so meliiiuous, set off with such bewitching ca- 
dence of voice, and such captivating grace of action, Ih^t while you 
listened to him, you desired to hear nothing superior, and indetj 
thought him pejfect." 



(12.) 

I should not fuHjr ohey the reinlution of Ihe Lyceum wptp I to 
p,V!» over in silenre, the claiiii of Mr. NVirt to its afiplauHC as a 
i>t)iri;siiiun. It hii!» been slattMl, th.iJ ho formtMl s part of tlio Cahitict 
ilunng thf a(lMiiiii<>fration8 of Monroe and Aduiii''. They both free- 
ly aifniitieii hi^ wifttiom and ability a» a Cabinet roun>iollor. 'j'he 
bpini(>i>'i of ijient und putriotic public men not only di<»cl(He trulh, 
but give cotitideiirH HOil ai)*u>ancu to IhoHH, who ulrrady nifty per- 
ceive It. In no country, are the opinions of 8urh men, more to be 
vnliifNl tnan m our own. The peculiar strucforn of oor political In- 
stitutions, tioth State ami Federal, criates tliiH vulue. ]t may be well 
therefore, to btnt« the opiniuoii •»! W irt on some leading points He 
mBintaiiied, iKat tlie (N'OuresM «»f the Ihiioir. hud the tlimHlitnfiiuinl 
povser to pioti'tt and iiitourape Domeslic Jriil!i«tiy. Ilo ucreed 
with those politicians. v<ho believe, that fiower to construct works of 
Iniernul Improvement conducive t«i the coiiimuii ^oxd of tho Nutioti, 
IS coiiHtituiiunally posvehsed by that iiody. 'I'hese opinionn of 
M--. Wirt, gro of more than ordinary value. In the former pHrt of 
'Idb life, he had denied the«o powers to Conj|;ress, Upon nia'ure de- 
liberation, he chanced hiit o|)inion. We may well prize tho conr.lu- 
iiiong of surh a mind, for the hubjects are of the highest importance to 
i»ur whole country. No Country on earth is tiij^ceptible uf greater 
and more extensive works of Internal Improvement than this; and 
surelv there is not one other, whoue interest, whether we consider 
the sources of national wealth, or political Union, more obviously 
iip.d imperioiisl V requires ihein. They not only increase and insure 
the prosperity of n oeople, but (hey redound to their glory. They 
iittrft their fa<»»e, their wealth and their power. They ghcd on their 
tiationul character the miltl rnclianceof a peaceful iHfre, far Hurpass- 
iiijj the glare of n military halo. 1 he Roman Roails have given more 
celebrity t(» Komsn policy, ihnn the conquests of the Scipios' and 
the Tresars'. 'I'ne c.mal of Jjinjjuedoc cnofcrti more plory on 
France, than tho achieveinents of Calinat and Turentie. I'lie R .al 
of the Simplon, an endurinji monument r.f tho brtt"r gc^i-j? of Na- 
pole-in, ilrfyifip the lofty heitflits and immcn'5(» caverno of the Alps, 
jiod iioiling 'uo nations in toe fiimdly leliitions uf Commerce and 
iridtvidwal intercourse, n» a fa- more grateful t'ulijrct of contempla- 
tion, than the fields of Miiien^o and Austerlitz. The Road of Yej^a 
jjuti luin» the "cloud repped" summit.s of the Andes, and passing 
i»n their porphery rucks amid jutting fountains, ban inimortalized the 
inemory of the l^ca^<, and ronforred, during ages, innumerable bcn- 
t tits on their sudjectf, an»l on the descendants of their Spanish op- 
presBoro. 

^a (» ^^('^''se^<»r^, no le^a than as ft I'lwyer, Wiit sys*ai-^ed f'^e vr^st 
andviiHi M»»pf>rt:ni(e ot tlie conHtitotional powers claimed for the 
fciii|'re«ne ( 'nurt of the United !Stat«9. He considere'/ t^nf DepT'ment 
nf oti>- l-i«>vt»if»fT» n». the troe balunce, the ImjIw rk. the g'ory, the ul- 
lidiiti- ■iHifty n\ the »'iinst'»'jM!!n and of tl.i"" N.itioo. 



(13.) 

As a writer, Wirt has established a flattering literary fame. liis 
productions are standards, and are among the Classics of our Liter- 
ature. Hia first work, the British Spy, has gone through nine edi- 
tions Ot his later works, a competent critic thus speaks. ''We 
look with gratitnde and wonder on a gentleman of the bar. in whom 
the severest labours and highest offices, and amplest emoluments 
and brightest laurels of his profession, have not stitied tha generous 
ambition of letters; whose mind has b^en for a long term of years 
exposed to the atmosphere ot courts and the attritions of the world 
of business, without losing any of the tiner poetical qualities, with 
which it was richly endowed." 

Having contemplated, with admiring eyes, the dazzling orb of 
Wirt's public fame, let us now turn to liis private character, which 
like the Moon, casts a sweet complacency over the mind of the 
beholfler. It was as a wan that Mr. Wirt was the delight of his 
friends and of his family. He possessed a heart tender, ardent in 
Its affections and coTistant in its friendships. He was devoid of 
guile, and in his youth, as well as in "the palmy state" of honored 
manhood, he was gentle and unpretending. He was remarkable for 
a playful spirit; cheerful without levity, dignified without austerity; 
"Super experientiam sapientiamque, etiam specie inanium validus." 
In the various relations of life, he was an example of more than or- 
dinary excellence. Particularly in the domestic virtues, his exam- 
ple was touching and impressive. It was in his Home, that his heart 
ghed "its selectest influence." Here the smile of affection ever play- 
ed on his manly cheek. Here was its abiding place, for here his 
virtues were reflected from hearts, they themselves had inspired. 
He was the fondest of husband^. There lives a widow, who, in the 
tears of a saddened yet enraptured remenibraoce, would bear wit- 
ness, that his praise is unutterable. 

"Hail wediled Love! mystevLous law, by thee, 

founded in reason loval, ju8t and pure, 

ilelations dear, and all the charities 

Of Father, Son and Urother, first were known. 

Here Love his golden shafta employs, here 

Lights his constant lamp, and waves his purple wingg, 

Keigns here and revels"! 

With the Roman orator, it may be regretted, that a virtuous and 
accomplished citizen has not lived to ^rm a son for the Republic. 
His daughters, under the ^guiJ i ng w of his graceful mind, have richly 
repaid parental solicitudes. They have not wasted their time in the 
frillies of fashion, thu' allured by its syren songs. Even in the hours 
of amusement, their intelligence and sweetness have been mingled 
with the odours of the rose, the woodbine and the violet. Thpy have 
caught from the fl iwers of spring, their language of poetry and love, 
anti have prt^sented it to their snx in "Flora's Dictionary," a bril- 
imnt and bt-autiful offering of taste and imagination. Such was Mr. 



(11.) 

W'\t\ in »he dnmoilicand *oi-iHl relations of life. Rut the crownins; 
ulorv ot Ills cliaikctor, aa u iituii, i», xUal he wasi a C/iriilian. liis 
turtiilv lame, tike all aubluriaij^ lliiii^'i, luuot itliarc tlieir lutu. liie 
[♦•loi lip, as well us "tlie paliis of^lui)," lend "Out to the ^ravu. " 
'i'hat t.e wait a Chiiitiun, has been ivcordeil in that '*liu()k. ot Life" 
vhuoe a;iiia'is bhullauivivc Ilia '' i'uicit «)l >ialuiii\ tuneral pile," 
uiui ahull bi- ri-ail by uuuiuiUl auil aiigclu Dpiiils, lhruu>^houl ttj;ca 
vhich hhall know no enil. 

l.et It iiei Ut baid thai his belii-f was the result of caily ctlucatiori 
}ind ut hahii rather (Ituii ui xtitmu aull iiu|uii}. ll is hero ittutud as 
it tuLt III icUtiuu tu tills great man, that (lie cunvictiuua ui hia ma- 
lurer \ears, on winch he publicljr mnuiheil his belief in the Chn«- 
tinn llcvclaliun, were the coiiclusumd ol lui puwwrtul mind coolly 
tiiiil LUiiduUv applied to the vaiiuub boi>roe» of evidence oo which 
ChriBliauitv lounda itst t.laiiu to univeitial acceptance. It ist true, 
he had been early tau|;ht ith pniiciple8 and du(iet>, but hia >uuth and 
t-ailv maiihuud v\ere mine than oidmarily subjected to the aophiotrjr 
ol thallileiaiy iididelitv which j)ie»eiic<l and prepared the wajr lur 
the lerritic and bloody march o( the French revolution, nnd had 
become the fabhi-iti tit tl.« Imies \n which he hruan his career. If 
the principles ol hi* youth were bhaken for a while, his strong and 
scute ipind was nrver its victim. It never fouiid in infidel tlieo- 
iieso Pharos which tlirows over the wastet* ot lite and titue, the 
blight and chcfnng light ol \U\>v. It never perceived in ita boast- 
id reasiinini^H, one arjiunient, which it did not almost intuitively b«« 
to be lallacioub. It was. however, a subjoct ot eell accusation and 
legret. that he had permitted the busiinesn of his profession, great 
mid prps!-iiii>; n<« it w:«s, so long to tielay a deliberate investigation of 
tlie evidence of the ChrsHian rt ligioii. that he might rationally fullH 
ilR (ommaiid *• to be reaily to give a rea*on lor this hope" it inspire*. 
He, at length, applied his mind invigmaleil by btudy and continual 
exercise, e^pecially r-ioaiknbie l.ir its power in the inveiti^'atioti 
•if testimony, to the interchting subject of Revelation. He found 
Ins hop'- to rent on the immovertbl- bi'is of reason and fjct. lie thou 
>Klded the alVeciiuns of his suul to the coiiclusioDs of its rea«on. — 
lie luuml II lo be tru.- that when the religion of the Uedeemer is con- 
sidered in reference to Us spiritual power, its doctrines and its h«ipe*, 
m well a* to Us external proofi*. it ind«ed, "borrows splendour fioni 
!.ll lliat is t.iir, 8ub.»i.liii;iteH to itself nil that is great, and sits en- 
throned on tiie rich.s of the gniverse."- Wirt became an avowed 
and x.aions pmf.Hsorof this reli-ion. His honoured name is gloriously 
;.,soci:ite.l Willi lho>«e of Wail and Luther, of Newton and Locko, of 
I'as. aland »orrh4avc, of F.-ncUn and D' Aiieui«,«au, of Milton and 
Hdlfi^ol I'itt and WaHiiiii^ton. Tims, in the languagH of Krskine, 
like blm^elta,.nw«^^^.l advocUe, "we find all that is great, or wise 
Ol splendid or illosUious ttiiion;4st created beings, all the minds gill- 
.d bLyoiid ..idiiiii.) oalii.e, il lu.t inspired by then uuivcisui Author, 



for the advancement and dij»nlt^ ot the tTorld, tbo' divided hy dis- 
tant ages and by clashing opinion*, dlstirtguinhing them from one; 
anotherj yet joining ns it were in one subhiue rhorim \n ce'iobrate thy 
truths of Christianity, and laying «n its holy altars the never 
fading fruita of their intmortal v^'isdom." 

In the providence of Him, in whose hands are the issues of all 
events, the life of VVirt was approaching that hour, •*for which all 
honra are made."' While attending the Supreme Court in Februa- 
ry last, he was pud«lenly attacked by an inflammatory disease, the 
pflTeet of a slight exposure. For a day or two, no apprehension was 
felt tor his safety. The Messenger of death, alas! quickly announ- 
ced his command, and all the efforts of man were unavailing. It 
soon became apparent to all aroand him, and equally so to himself, 
that hjs end was approaching. Of this event, in the moments of 
revival from the stupor induced foem the disease, he spoke, not only 
in the calmness and resignation, but with the holy hope of the Chris- 
tian; 8n«l, within a few hours of his death, with solemn emphasis, 
in a moment of clear and wonted intelligence, in the words of th". 
first Martyr, he con mended his soul to him, who rrdeemed it 1 
His religion was not that Philosophy, which left Voltaire to dvin^ 
agonies and horrors; and "played the fool" around the death bed of 
Hume. His weeping wife and children are around him! In an- 
guish, yet elevated by the scene they are witnessing, thef watch, 
with fhe deepest emotions, the last, long^sinking breathings of tha 
good man. * 

♦Tlark! they whisper! angels say, 
Kindred spirit! come away! 

The world recedes! it disappears! 

Heaven opens on his eyes! his ears 
With sounds serapliic ring! 

Lend, lend your wings, I mount, 1 fly! 

O Grave? where is thy Victory' 
O Death, where is thy sting!" 

The soul of our illustrious Citizen hath ascended to that world, ia 
which it had expatiated before it left this! There, indued with aii 
energy, '•which knows no decay," and with an intelligence con- 
tinually enlarging, it is studying the plans and purposes of Jehovah. 
in his vast and eternal Kingdom; and with Sherlock and Rourdaleue, 
with Dwight and Ma^on, h celebrating his glorious perfections, i;i 
diviner strains of eloijuence, than even they everut'ered upon earth! 
With them io the briglit morningof an everlasting day, on the banks 
of the River of Life, it drinks from its streams the waters of Im- 
mortality! There, ''with an eagle's eye fixed on the Divine Lumi- 
nary, it shall rise, on eagle's wings with a perpetually ioviirorated 
flight, neater and nearer to the Sun of Uijihtt'ousness forever!" 



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